Jurors find Las Crucen guilty of first-degree murder

LAS CRUCES —A Las Cruces man has been convicted of murder after shooting a self-proclaimed gang member outside an East Mesa gas station in 2011.

After deliberating for about four hours Thursday and Friday, a Doña Ana County jury found Eric Marquez guilty of first-degree murder and shooting from a motor vehicle, also a felony, in front of 3rd Judicial District Judge Douglas Driggers.

Authorities reported that Marquez shot Julian "J.T." Melendres twice with a 12-gauge shotgun. Melendres, 22, died at the scene.

Sentencing has not been scheduled, but Marquez, 28, faces life in prison, the mandatory penalty for first-degree murder. In New Mexico that means 30 years before being eligible for parole. Marquez's case is subject to automatic appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Marquez, of the 5000 block of Ortega Road, has been held at the Doña Ana County Detention Center on a $150,000 bond since his arrest.

Several members of Melendres' family burst into tears when Driggers read the verdict.

Kathy Garcia, an aunt of Melendres, said the family was happy with the outcome.

"It's just a relief," she said. "Peace."

She noted that Melendres was unarmed when he was shot.

Marquez's attorney, Joe Coronado, had argued that the shooting was an act of self defense, adding that police found a gun in Melendres' pickup.

He said that Marquez and other family members suspected Melendres had shot at their home and threatened them for several years.

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Marquez is not a gang member, Coronado said, but a relative previously had killed a man in self defense. That man had been a friend of Melendres.

Omar Marquez expressed frustration with the judicial system after the trial, saying it was unfair his brother could not defend himself.

At the time of his death, Melendres was awaiting trial on charges that he shot at an employee of an East Mesa restaurant from his pickup.

Eric Marquez, Coronado said, has a "clean" criminal record, with no violent offenses.

Investigators said a friend on the evening of the shooting told Eric Marquez that Melendres was driving near his home. At the time, Coronado said, Eric Marquez and his wife were eating dinner at a restaurant on North Main Street.

They took separate vehicles home, and Eric Marquez saw Melendres in the gas station parking lot. Coronado said his client planned to confront Melendres about the shootings. At some point during their conversation, Coronado said, Melendres seemed to be reaching for a gun. That's when Eric Marquez fired the fatal shots.

Pedro Pineda, a chief deputy district attorney who prosecuted the case, said he was satisfied with the outcome.

"I'm more happy for the family for the sense of closure," he said.

James Staley may be reached at 575-541-5476. Follow him on Twitter @auguststaley